mbuhmann's blog

I have been working in different areas of the medical field on and off for the past 10 years. I have been diagnosed with arthritis of the knees which prevents me from standing for long periods of time. I would like to get a job in a new field but all of my experience and education is in the medical field which makes it difficult for me to find jobs in other fields. I am going back to school in the spring, but I need to find a job right now to provide for my family. What do you suggest?

A friend of mine has been looking for a job change. He's been working as a sports writer for a local newspaper, but he's now interested in finding different work in media or journalism and/or a new career in the mental health-social work field. The questions are, How does one locate a career guidance counselor that is free that could assist him in discovering his possible career options related to these two areas of employment? Could they provide him access to resources? Could they assist him in locating actual job opportunities? It would be helpful if you could help me with my friend's questions and concerns.

How can I get entry Business Analysis experience or training from the State of Illinois? I am also interested in the Organizational development field. Can I get volunteer opportunities or training for a reasonable price?

I have a Master's in Professional Counseling, not licensed yet, over 13 years of progressive Administrative Assistant experience. I don't want to enter the mental health field as I would have to take a huge paycut. Human Resource jobs at higher compensation levels do not seem to exist. Should I just give up and be an administrator for my career or can you think of any way I can leverage my valuable skills to transfer to another industry, without taking such a dramatic pay cut?

I have been unemployed for a long time being a Computer Aided Drafter of 10 years experience in the Consulting Engineering field. I have tried applying, searching and interviewing to move into an entry level position in IT as a Help Desk support but I find nothing or when I do get interviewed, never get hired. I have tried taking courses for CompTia's A+ certification and failed. I also see that companies who hire in the IT field want someone with certifications from Microsoft of CompTIA if not in general.

I’ve been an attorney for over 18 years and, earlier this year, for family reasons, I found I had to resign my partnership and relocate to Chicago. With that situation resolved, I am ready to find a challenging position, along with the opportunity to best employ my skill set and experience. I am open to other kinds of positions, however, my two main areas of experience lie in the fact that I was in Claims/Risk Management for 15 years, I’ve been an attorney for over 18.

I have worked as an auditor/accountant for the past 10 years and I currently work for one of the Big Four firms. Within the last two years I have decided that I have no desire to continue on this path, although I am not completely sure where I would like to end up. My interest right now lies in Human Resources as a compensation analyst. I have no compensation experience but I do have experience in analyzing data and critical thinking. What is the best way for me to break into this field? I realize that I would most likely have to take a pay cut also and I'm okay with that as long as I'm rewarded appropriately.

I have a B.A. in Education, but permitted my certification to lapse. I am actually extremely interested in research and advocacy. I assisted several professors with research as an undergrad, which resulted in publication, yet haven't the foggiest idea as how to get my foot in the door, and potentially make a career out of my passion. While I did achieve a B.A.; school has actually always been quite a challenge for me. My youngest son has a learning disability, and I question, if I too, may have had, may still have, a learning disability. With that said, I'm reluctant to return to school. Are there any other opportunities; internships, trade schools, something for a woman in her late 40's.

Even though the job market is very tight, it is still very possible to make a career change. There are several ways to break into a new field. The good news is that you do not necessarily have to go back to school to do so!Identify your skills.First, it is important to take stock of your skills, especially your transferable skills. You must be able to talk about your skills to potential employers, especially if you do not have experience in a particular industry. Sometimes it is helpful to create a functional resume (instead of a chronological one) to begin to think of yourself in terms of skills rather than jobs. You can look up skill words on the Internet, or you can work with a career counselor to identify your skills.

I am changing careers and having a hard time finding an entry level position. I am trying to get into web design and have some experience. I have been going on interviews for little over a year but have had no feedback from my interviews, and they don't even send an email to say they don't want me. Chicago.craigslist.org is a good resource for jobs and I also scan Monster, Careerbuilder and any other leads. I am becoming frustrated and would like some advice.

Networking and more face to face and direct contact with possible employers can be helpful. So networking is always a consideration - and a stronger one than spending all your time perusing the internet sites.

However, you might also want to explore your interviewing techniques, your follow up techniques and other areas of your job search. I would recommend that you meet with a counselor or attend a seminar that can give you an opportunity to have a mock interview and get some real feedback.

I am curious about the best approach to finding a position in this difficult economic times.During a time of great competition you need to embark on a search that is focused, strategic and assertive. You must have a strong sense of your skills and value and be informed about the needs of the marketplace. If you need more education, get it! Target the types of companies that can benefit from your skill set and do your best to network into the company, check their website for openings and position yourself and your application in a way that makes you stand out. A good career counselor can help you navigate the difficult waters!